Unclutter challenge

[fred_mouse]

I interrupt our regular programming to suggest a small challenge. Inspired by reading the section of the 'A Slob Comes Clean' blog that talks about focusing on the visible, I challenge you to go to where visitors enter your house and identify three items of clutter that you would like to do something about. If you see more than three, make a note of the extras, and pick three. You can come back to those others later. If you see fewer than three, come back tomorrow, and the next day, and look again. If, after three looks, you can't see anything new, then I commend you! Deal with the one or two items as below, and be pleased.

For each of your three identified items (or piles of items, in my case), tell us what you need to do with them, and a deadline that you want to have done that by.

Comments

[kalloway]

My entryway is actually pretty empty because I moved everything in order to vacuum once I'm awake and have the energy to vacuum during an 'approved noisy time' for the complex I live in (being a daysleeper has weird drawbacks). However, there was a thick cardboard tube I've been hoarding for more than half a year that can go get recycled, along with the box and bag of recycling to go today since it is actually 'drive to dump to drop off recycling' day. I'm also going to pick up a new pair of work boots later, so the trashed 'spare' pair that have been sitting around can go in the dumpster.

I have evening plans, so I need to sleep earlier than usual, but if I can squeeze in vacuuming after recycling and also run trash down to the dumpster, everything will be taken care of by about 10am. ^_^

I can probably also put my parka back in the hall closet instead of hanging on a hook on the outside, since we're supposed to have a few warmer days.

[kalloway]

Recycling is gone, parka is hung, but considering I parked right by the dumpster, I'll just take the trash when I head out for evening plans. And I just vacuumed, too. So not quiiite on time, but it'll be done today.

I'll try to keep working around the corners, where the entryway turns into hallway and things get a little dicier.

[fred_mouse]

Well done on spotting things and getting them done so quickly!

(nosy mouse wants to know: what is around the corner?)

[kalloway]

\o/ Thank you!

I don't have a lot of entryway, but a lot of hallway, most of which is lined with shallow shelving units. While most of what's on there is what goes there and stays there, I know it all badly needs to be dusted and there's also the small spot for outgoing donations that looks pretty full, as well what was supposed to be the mail rack and is more 'crap I dumped here idk'.

Entryway now has new boots, to go to work tomorrow night (boots stay at work once they go), and a box of craft stuff from the utility room since a coworker mentioned she does crafts with a friend and their kids every weekend and it was basically 'you want some craft stuff? I GIVE YOU!!!' and I could probably fill two more boxes if I don't accidentally overwhelm her. (At least stuff landing there is pretty much on its way out?)

[fred_mouse]

Sounds like good planning for clearing things out! I hope co-worker appreciated the craft stuff, and will be keen to take more :}.

[kalloway]

Co-worker was thankfully ecstatic and I'm working on putting together another box for her. I'm not sure I'll have enough for a third box, but I'm definitely finding a lot of odd things and better organizing the stuff I'm keeping, too.

(And honestly, I'm looking at some of the stuff I'm keeping and... why? It'll probably go in the box later. There is a craft store two traffic lights away if I desperately need something.)

[fred_mouse]

Oh, that is good to hear. And I recognise the feeling that you are putting something away that you are then just going to rehome later, but aren't completely sure about.

[kalloway]

I'm also finding a lot of things that... are definitely garbage/recycling/don't belong in the utility room which I'd ignored for years because they were boxed up nicely/tucked away and weren't part of what was spilling off lower shelves.

Basically, this has been something I've been actively avoiding for years and now that I'm doing it, it's really good but also argh. I'd apparently saved like a hundred little plastic bubbles/containers from toys/candy/meds/etc. for... sorting? beads? small parts? when really I probably only ever need to have a half-dozen around. So all that went right in recycling.

There's just so much that I'm looking at and 'why, past self? why?'

[fred_mouse]

I resemble this. I find stashes of things that I'd forgotten about, and might have used some of if I'd remembered, but I'm never going to use now. Good job on recognising that they could just be recycled.